The entire political media, since Wednesday night's presidential debate, has been doing plenty of reading. Mostly of President Obama's twitches, pauses, umms, ahhs, looks down, looks up, all in an effort to understand every single one of his missed opportunities in his first encounter with his Republican opponent, Mitt Romney. But for all the Thursday morning quarterbacking, perhaps the best evaluation of the debate was written before it even took place.
Alec MacGillis, writing about Romney's biggest strength and weakness on Wednesday morning in The New Republic:
It is no secret that Romney does not do well mixing with the hoi polloi—the 47 percent, the 99 percent, however you want to define the great unwashed. He tells women they don't have their makeup on yet (3:00 mark), he startles moribund elderly people in cafes, he lets the dawgs out, he insults local bakeries’ products, he declaims about cheesy grits (0:55 mark), he makes fun of people’s rain ponchos (2:15 mark), he pretends to understand their economic anxiety. Most of all, he condescends. ...
In debates, Romney loses this affect. He snaps to attention and he’s firing on all cylinders, because he feels challenged: put simply, he is amongst his fellow 1 percenters, where he feels most comfortable, and he wants to show his wits and win the exchange.
it is arguable that Romney considers himself not simply equal to the President, but quite superior. It doesn't take a lot of reading to understand that. Obama is no mere hoi polloi, mind you; he did make a point of speaking directly to him. But what is key is that the President didn't exploit Romney's biggest flaw, according to MacGillis: the etch-a-sketchitude of his positions. And as a result, President Obama made his biggest mistake -- he made the alternative more palatable to America.
To start off today's show, Melissa will offer her read of the debate, and yesterday's positive jobs news. Other topics we'll get to today include Romney targeting Big Bird, the third grade (yes, literally), and what education researchers call the "Matthew Effect." Melissa will also kick off another edition of This Week in Voter Suppression!™, one which will carry particular import for out-of-state college students looking to vote nearby their campuses. Oh, and Melissa will offer her response to this nonsense George Will wrote, and delve into the "angry black man" stereotype which the Drudge/Carlson/Hannity triumverate tried to bait America into buying about the President the day before the debate.
Guests will include:
- Ari Berman, contributing writer for The Nation and author of "Herding Donkeys: The Fight to Rebuild the Democratic Party and Reshape American Politics."
- U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings, Democrat from Maryland.
- Dan Dicker, CNBC contributor and principal partner at MercBlog.
- Annie Murphy Paul, Time magazine contributor and author of "Origins: How the Nine Months Before Birth Shape the Rest of Our Lives."
- Raul Reyes, attorney and NBC Latino contributor.
- Matthew Segal, president of OurTime.org, a non-partisan youth empowerment organization.
- Maya Wiley, founder and president of the Center of Social Inclusion.
As always, folks -- be sure to interact with us during the show here in the comments of this post, on Facebook, and on Twitter, using the hashtag #nerdland. We look forward to having you join us at 10am ET on msnbc!
Leave a Comment:
Where could I find that chart showing job growth and income growth by tax rate?
Your show is interesting and informative, which I love. On todays topic, the debate had Mitt doing a 180 again, but this time,his whole campaign theme, and our wise President patiently let him!
Its not for fear .But why change the game plan or the coach when the game is getting bstter.
Great comment Melissa to Mr. George.
President Barack Obama now has a boatload of information to sink his ship, and 2 out of 3 won't be bad!
All i can say is Pres. Obama has alot more class than arrogant Mr. Romney.
Thank you, MHP! I've been waiting since Wednesday for some pundit to talk about the racial dynamic, i.e. how assertive black leaders are perceived, to at least partially explain the President's debate performance. Thank you for "going there"...!
I am a white man and I voted for your black man,but he would never get my vote again. As far as MSNBC, this should become the nat'l democratic channel. As far as you Melissa, it's people like you that create racism. I think you are as blind as a bat when it comes to say that Obama was a good Pres. I put you at the top with Sharpton.
Self employed, if you can't see the racism you are blind, MHP is not creating anything! True the vote, GOP made up their mind when Obama was ELECTED they would not work with him at ALL. WHY? They are scared, good ol boy white status quo not the majority any more. This country was built on the backs of immigrants we are all immigrants. GOP are not christian, they are bigots. I am a 51yr old white woman, and will vote for Obama again, I don't want corporations running my life. They will get rid of public libraries, public roads, repeal child labor laws, no minimum wage, Americans will be like the Chinese if Romney wins living in the factory sleeping in dorms for .50cent an hour, slaves. GOP is scary, wake up!
Dear Self employed craftsman, I'm a 49yr old African American Disabled Veteran and I would like to share this bit of insight with you so perhaps it may open your hearts eyes to see a little clearer. When I raised my hand to server and protect my country I did so with the full understanding that I was doing it for the whole country and not just for the white & black race, the Democrats or GOP, nor the white man that was in office and my acting Commander and Chief. No sir I did it for "US" the U.S. and that includes you as well, so I just would like to request that you give the same thought and attention you gave President Obama the last time U voted for him and really consider has he preformed so poorly that you want to disown so out right?? But I guess first you have to ask yourself what was your motivation to vote for him in the first place, because based on the tone and temperament of your message there is no real love you feel for my black people, Be Well sir.
Saydi- If MHP is not racially divisive person, then what do you call it when she decided to deface a support Israel poster in the subway. Just google it if you dont believe me. You stated "Im a 51 yr old white women (who has some guilt and is probably the type of person who would walk to the other side of the street when they saw the likes of me coming, I know your type)....I don't want corporations running my life and blah, blah, blah scary, blah, scary stuff etc" You are a liar. Are you an idiot or do you just not care to pay attention? Goldman Sachs ring a bell? Didn't they donate Millions to the Obama campaign? Again, google it and you will find plenty of sources from a plethora of different various leaning references. BTW, If your so concerned about children, why are you for abortion, particularly partial birth abortion...You know what that is right? Did you know a majority of the children aborted are black? Talk about modern day genocide. And were worried about a 10s of thousands of Syrians getting killed. Gheeze. Your reeeeeaaaal compassionate arn't you.
Melissa and other pundits! You're missing the fact that Romney went into character when he went Chessy Grits down South. Nobody commented on "his accent", but they're attacking the President? Play Romney's cheesy grits bite!
Facts. I love how this word is always thrown out on shows. Fact is that Tucker Carlson covered this speech in 2007. Yep, the 9 minutes released and the written speech "transcript" that had no racial language in it. That is the fact.
Fact that some people are too busy to worry about learning voting regulations and new laws to be a part of the process and get an ID. Do they go to a public library? Need an ID. They don't drive? They don't write a check in the city? Have a bank account? Fact is I show my ID (state driver's license) to my first cousin who grew up across the street from me, and two community members in my population 150 town who have known me since I was born 39 years ago, and I'm to believed that asking minorities in the city to do the same is "racist"? This is no poll tax, my friends. This is making sure my sacred right to vote for my representative isn't hijacked by the fringe. And no fraud in America? ? ? Seriously? Just like Russia, 98% vote for PUtin, no fraud. And a gun permit in Texas was secured by, wait for it, a government issued ID. (And a state driver's license isn't a federal issued ID, it is a state issued ID, BTW). And no comment on Black Panthers at polls in 2008?? Oh, wait, that video isn't fact.
One last fact: Big Bird is on the set, on the desk, waiting for the ideal moments to bring out to denigrate one candidate who believes that we shouldn't borrow from China (or whoever will buy our bonds, right now Mr. Bernanke) to pay for non-essential programs, like PBS or NPR. Why does America need a Pravda? This show has the same feel as Hannity on Fox, so blatantly pro one candidate there should be a disclaimer on the start of the show to let us know this isn't news. But not much out there is.
And if voting is a sacred right, why doesn't the federal government issue a AR-15 with birth certificates? THat right was so sacred they included it in the bill of rights. If the federal government is to protect all of our rights, I would like a 3 shot burst AR-15, a 44 Mag, and a 30-06 just for a conversational piece. Plus a free CAtholic bible, newspaper of my choice, and throw in copy of the Constitution so I can teach it to my kids. I can go retrieve a registered voter list from any Clerk and Recorder and with minimal research find out who isn't even living. I don't think anyone who lives in a trailer court is going out to pretend to be someone else to vote twice, but I do remember the 4 Indiana Democrats who forged documents to get candidates on ballot. These laws are not to hold anyone down, but to protect our rights. Only the desperate politicians in power figure out how to steal votes, and suppressing minorities should be not the narrative, but all Americans rights to have their vote count. Even if my guy wins, I want to the election to pass the smell test..
Voter fraud is not a problem. Voter suppression is a potentially big problem. So why are the Republicans so focused on voter fraud? Who are you kidding? Yourself, maybe?
Thank you for the best presentation of social science research I have ever seen on TV -- and for covering the vital issues of reading delays and the cognitive gap.
WOW, I can hardly listen to this hack.
To receive Eagle Scout Award, the young men must do Community Service Project. How about connecting Boy Scouts with neighborhoods in need of libraries. I have seen neighborhoods with little shelved houses built for books at the corners of streets where everyone on the street gets to borrow a book to read, then returns it when done. The Eagle Scout projects could be building those book shelters, installing them in the neighborhoods, and finding donated books for all ages, esp. children's books, to fill the shelves. Neighborhoods could switch books. Future Eagle Scout projects could repair, replace, and restore shelters and books. It would be one way to bring little libraries into neighborhoods. For indoor apt. bldgs, perhaps a covered container would suffice. It might be a start.
"Laying the ground work before the debate: "I think the challenge that I'll have in the debate is that the president tends to, how shall I say it, to say things that aren't true," Romney said in an interview that aired Friday on ABC's "Good Morning America." "
"Laying the ground work early on in the debate: “Look, I’ve got five boys,” Romney added. “I’m used to people saying something that’s not always true but just keep repeating it and ultimately hoping I’ll believe it. But that is not the case.” "
So is he saying the President is a lying boy? Keep blowing that dog whistle, Republicans. How is President Obama supposed to respond to that without being accused of being paranoid or racist against whites or being the "angry black man"?
Melissa, I wish that you all would get over your disappointment that President Obama didn't out-perform Mitt Romney. Let's just face it, Mitt Romney Gish Galloped (look it up) Obama. President Obama didn't expect that Mitt Romney to go there. He expected to have a honest debate about the issues. Obama was so overwhelmed by all the bull@!$%# Romney was spewing from his mouth he couldn't address all of it so he just let him talk.
Not making excuses for the man but that's what happened.
Oh btw, as always, great show!
Wanted to share the excellent segment on "Why 3rd grade is important' but the link isn't working. Can youhave one of the 'nerds' check on it. I'll check back in a few days. Thanks!!
Never mind - my bad: Pop-up blocker was turned on! I got the report and shared it with my sister-in-law who teaches 3rd grade in public school in the Pensacola FL area,
I guess only "pro-Obama/MSNBC" comments are allowed to be seen. Disgusting.
why does everyone ensure they let others know what race they are? regardless of your race, those who support this biggot let alone MSNBC are hypocritical fools. Im not racist yet I am treated like one by liberals because I do not agree with a particular point of view. But I really want to know. Seriously, when will people agree that skin color does not matter? Do I like Obama? I don't know, never met the man. Do I like his policies and governing ability? No. So will exercise my right as a citizen (and who has fought in two wars for both bush and obama) and vote and pray that both candidates, the congress, etc decide to work for the people and steer us off this dreadful path that we have been on since bush 41.